Longer-term studies are needed to confirm if Fastball can reliably predict progression to dementia, as current research has only followed participants for one year.

Challenges in dementia diagnosis, such as long wait times and lack of support, are significant, with many living without a diagnosis or adequate care.

A new three-minute brainwave test called Fastball has been developed to detect early signs of memory issues related to Alzheimer's disease, potentially years before clinical diagnosis.

The study supporting Fastball highlights the need for accessible diagnostic tools, especially since over a third of the approximately 982,000 people with dementia in the UK remain undiagnosed, a number expected to rise to 1.4 million by 2040.

While promising, Fastball does not distinguish early Alzheimer's from other causes of cognitive decline, meaning additional biomarker or imaging tests are still necessary.

Developed at the University of Bath, Fastball records brain responses to rapid images using EEG sensors and has shown moderate to good reliability over a year, with the ability to be performed at home, making it accessible.

The test has demonstrated effectiveness in differentiating individuals with amnestic MCI, characterized by significant memory loss, from healthy controls and non-amnestic MCI patients.

The study was led by Dr. George Stothart and funded by the Academy of Medical Sciences, with support from dementia charity BRACE, emphasizing its potential to improve access to dementia diagnosis.

Experts from UCL and dementia research groups support Fastball's potential to aid early detection, especially as new therapies are being developed.

A report by Alzheimer’s Society indicates over one-third of people with dementia fear diagnosis or hesitate to seek help, highlighting the importance of early and accurate detection.

Healthcare professionals stress that early diagnosis is crucial for better support and treatment, especially with new drugs like donanemab and lecanemab that are most effective when administered early.